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April 26, 1927.

1,625,869 F. K. PLYMPTON mxcnms FOR MAKING BOTTLE CLOSURES Filed April 18. 1925 '7 Sheets-$heet l INVENTOR. fi'e de/ 1611'. Ply/11 05010 MOW M M A TTORNEYS.

A ril 26 1927. r 5- 869 p F. ,K. PLYMPTON -MACHINE FOR MAKING BOTTLE CLOSURES Filed April 18. 1925 7 Sheets-Shept 2 'INVENTOR Bede/i6 if. P lyliaalan/ A TTORNEYS.

NH m 9 4 L a mnofi m m 5 W m H t I T O mu M F K. PLYMPTON MACHINE} FOR MAKING BOTTLE CLQSURES Filed April 18. 1925 April 26, 1927.

A ril 26 192 1625 869 p 7 F. K. PLYMPTON momma FOR MAKING BOTTLE CLOSURES Filed April 18, 1925 '1 Sheets-Sheet 5 mmvron fleaerz'cff. P lym alozv ATTORNEYS.

A ril 192 p 7 F. K. PLYMPTON MACHINE FOR MAKING BOTTLE CLOSURES JNVENTOR. Z 'ederc if. Pym 050m .f A TTORNEYS.

A ril 19 p 27 F. K. PLYMPTON MACHINE FOR MAKING BOTTLE CLOSURES Filed April 18. 1925 '7 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. fi'ede/z'c yap/012,

A TTORNEYS.

PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERIC K. PLYIVIPTON, OF BRE\:J'STER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR 'lO NAOMI D. PLYMP- TON, OF BRE'WSTEE, NEW YORK.

MACHINE FOR MAKING BOTTLE CLOSURES.

Application filed. April 18, 1925.

The present invention relates to a machine for making closure disks or caps, and particularly such caps having a wire hall or lil't secured thereto, an object being to provide a strip of an automatic niachii e into which paper or cardboard stock, or the ill. 1s led, and in which wire forming and i aching mechanism is adapted to provide each cap length of the strip with the wire bail or lijtt and further to provide means for imhedd g and iniprcssi g the wire bail in a manner to provide a siwstantiallv l'lat finished cap, which at the same time will permit the bail to be bent with facility into upright position for the pin-pose of extracting the cap 'l'rom the bottle or the like into which it is adapted to be fitted.

A further object to provide a machine, in which the feeding, 'lorn'iing, impressing and blanking operations are synchronized and carried on in a manner to enable the rapid, continuous. and reliable production of the caps.

Another object is to provide an improved 25 wire forming and attaching mechanism, and particularly one in which the wire is formed into bail-shape, forced through the cap strip to the nude sine, bent upon the underside. and forced upwardlvthrough the strip against. and finally clinched at the ends and llhttened at the bail portion, to provide a lint cap structure in which the bail is securely attached in spaced relation to the periohery ot the cap.

i The more general principles of the invention are ai ipl cahle in various forms to machines adapted tor the manufacture ot closure disks or caps. and other articles, having attachments varying in respect to the foregoing details.

'lhe machine more especially comprises mechanism adapted tor the production of closure disks having wire bail attachment, somewhat similar to thoritn in the U. S. patent to llloali, 136i. of December T, ill-3U. with the ovel 'l'milure, however, of passing the en s of the wire through the cap stool-1 a. second time to form ,:linching ends at the upper su 'l'mxe in spaced relation to the peripl.or of the cap. and the further novel iieatnres o'li indentin the cap stock and impressing the side legs of the bail to Serial No. 24,301.

throw up the transverse portion, which is disposed in the indentation formed in the cap, to provide a flat cap, capable of being stacked and used in a capping machine, and in which the bail may be readily lifted.

With the above and other objects in View, an embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, and this embodiment will be hereinafter more fully described with reference thereto, and the invention will be finally pointed out in the claims.

la the drawings Fig. l is a front elevation of my improved cap forming machine;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a cap or disl; made by the machine, as shown in Fig. l, and provided with an attached bail or lift;

Fig. 3 is a central vertical longitudinal sectional view, taken along the line of movement of the paper strip, and showing the tools and mechanisms for operating on the same;

Fig. i is a sectional plan view of the bed of the machine, taken on the line H of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 shows an end elevation of one end of the machine, with the legs broken away;

Fig. 6 is a similar end elevation of the oppo.-zite end of the machine;

Fi 7 shows an enlarged side elevation of the wire forming and attaching unit or mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of the unit shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view of the wire forming and attaching unit, taken along the line -9 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of. the lower end of the wire forming mechanism, and showing the wire bent into inverted U-shapc;

Fig. 11 is a similar view, and showing the wire torced through the paper strip;

Fig. "i2 is a central vertical sectional view of the wire forming and attaching unit, taken along the line 12l2 of Fig. 8;

Figs. 13, ll and 15 are sectional views of the wire forming and attaching tools, shown in Fig. 12. and illustrating different positions of said tools and the several steps in the formation of the wire, the perspective views in relation to each of these figures showing the wire as formed;

Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing the upper side of the wire forming slide opera ti ve beneath the paper strip;

Fig. 17 is a perspective View of the under side of the former plate disposed beneath the paper strip, and with which the slide shown in Fig. 16 cooperates;

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the upper Side thereof;

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the wire end-clinching and bending horizontal slide. operative above the paper strip;

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of the vertical slide for initially cutting off and forming the wire into inverted lo-shape;

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of the punch for impressing the sides of the formed and attached wire bole to throw up the trans erse portion thereof;

Figs. 22, 23 and 24 (Sheet 3) are plan views showing the cap in various stages o its formation; and

Fig. 25 is a sectional view of the completed cap, taken. along the line of Fig. 24.

Similar reference characters indicate cori spending parts throughout the several tigures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings and more par ticularly to Figs. 1 to 6 thereof, the macl'iine, according to the present embodii'nent of the invention, comprises a horizontal bed plate 20 u'iounted upon suitable legs 21, and having mounted at its upper side a frame consflting of end standards 22 and 23, bolted at their bases to the bed plate at each end and adjacent the rear edge thereof, and having a transverse connecting portion 2 disposed in spaced and parallel relation above the bed plate. At each end of the frame there are provided upwardly extendir bearing projections 25 and 26, in which is journaled a horizontal cam and drive shaft 27 provided at one end with tight and loose pulleys and 29 for driving the shaft by means of a suitable belt.

Adjacent the forward edge of the bed plate there is mounted a longitudinal through which the paper strip, from hich the caps are adapted to be punched, is intermittently fed, and consisting of a hase portion 30 and upper edge guiding strips 31 and 82 secured adjacent each. longer edge of the base portion 30 and under- '-ut, as at 33 (Figs. 4 and 12), to receive and retain the edge of the paper strip A.

At one end of the bed plate there is mounted a bracket 3% having a pair of spaced vertical upright sides 35 having vertically dis posed slots 36 open at their upper ends and Within which there are secured the upper fixed bearings 37 of an upper shaft 38 and trees the lower movable bearings 23E) of a lower shaft L0, said bearings 89 being pressed upwardly by means of springs 41 interposed between the lower ends of the slots 36 and said bearings. The shafts 38 and l0 are respectively provided with feed rollers ell and 42, the latter having a flange 4.3 at one edge which overlaps the periphery of the upper roller at one side. The paper strip is adapted to be fed between these rollers, and the construction is such that the lower roller is pressed continuously toward the upper roller and therefore grips the strip to i1npart positive feeding inoven'ients thereto as the rollers are intern'iittently rotated. as will presently more fully appear.

A the inner ends of the shafts 38 and 4-0 there are mounted gears ll and 4-5, which are of equal size and mesh with each other. so that the rollers are adapted to he simultastud 52, upon which is pi end ot a crank arm 53 winch is pivotally connerted at its other end to the stud hit of an eccentric mounted upon the end of the shaft 27. at is obvious that through rotation of the shaft the le is reciprocated, and during the upward movements of such reciprocation, the pawl 4-7 rotates the ratchet all through a partial revolution while through the downward movements of such reciprocation the pawl rides over the ratchet to engage the ne t tooth, the paper strip bein g thereby intermittently fed through the machine.

Upon the forward side of the standart there is secured a vertical slidew. 56. in which a slide 57 is mounted for \(ll'iili'itll reciprocation, this slide having seemed in a suitable bracket 58 mounted thereon a punch 59, adapted as the slide mores downwardly to produce a slight impression B in the up per surtace of the paper strip, the strip being supported beneath the pointat which said impression is produced by means of a hardened bloclr ($0. This in'ipression, as shown in Fig. is for the purpose of receiving a slightly raised wire bail or 1' that it is substantially flush with the Sliil'l'tlCO of the cap, for facilitating stacking of the caps and their use in automatic capping inachines. V

The slide 5? is provided at its upper end wit i an apertured lug Gil to which is pivot-- all connected the lower end of the arm (52 til,

of a ring 63 engaged upon an eccentric (3t secured to the shaft 2?, and through which the slide is adapted to be reciprocated in svm-lu-onism with the feeding movements of the paper strip. so that in the interval be tween each movement of the strip the punch 58) engages and impres es the same.

The slide 57 is also adapted to operate the feed mechanism for the wire from which the wire bales or lifts are produced, but inasmuch as this mechanism works in conjunction with the wire forming and attaching mechanism its description will be deferred and included in the description of such forming and attaching mechanism.

At one point intermediate the ends of the slideway 30 there is provided an opening in which the base portion of the wire forming and attaching mechanism is inserted in such relation that the paper strip passes over such portion, and in the bed plate there is formed in registry with the opening (35 a pocket 06 in which said base portion is also disposed.

The base portion of the wire formin mechanism consists of a lower horizontal part 6'? bolted into said pocket 66 and an upper portion (58 having its forward part disposed in the opening (55, its upper surface being flush with the upper surface of the guideway 30 so that the paper strip moves over said forward part. A rearwardl projecting portion (59 is provided adjacent the right hand edge of the portion (58 and is adapted to mount the base of a verticall disposed support 71 for the wire forming mechanism which disposed above the paper strip being fed, the support being provided at its lower forward edge with a recess 72 through which the rearward edge of the paper strip is adapted to feed. The support "(1 is provided in its forward face with a vertical slideway 753 in which a slide 74.- is mounted for vertical reciprocatory move ment, and is retained by means of gib plates 7:) and 76 secured at eachsidc of the slideway. ii' ithiu a recess 7'? (Figs. 9 and 12) formed in the lower end of the rearward face of the slide av 73, there is secured a llush plate 78 provided with a rectangular horizontally extending passage T0 in which is slidablv engaged the forward rectangular anvil end 80o. a slide member 81. arranged for horizontal sliding movement in a bracket 82 Stlllltltl to the rearward face of the plate 78. The member 80 is slotted and provided with a transverse pin 83 which is engaged by the forked end 84 of a rock lever 85 mounted upon a rock shaft 86 having bearing in the support 71. and provided at one projecting end with a lever arm 07 (Fig. 7). The lever arm is diagonally disposed and at its upper end is connected to one end of a spring 98, the other end of which is tied at 89 upon the base 70 of the support and at its lower one the lever is provided with a projecting cam portion 90 which projects with relation to the forward surface of the gib plate 76. It is to be noted that the spring 88 normally tends to draw the lever 87 in Cl()('l{\'\'lS0 direction. which causes the anvil end 80 of the slide 81 to be projected forwardly relatively to the surface of the flush plate 78 being limited in such forwardly projected position by the shoulder 91 formed on the slide which abuts the rearward sur face of the flush plate. This anvil in its projected position constitutes a former about which the wire is adapted to be bent into inverted U-shape, the same adapted to be retracted into flush relation with the flush plate through engagement of means hereinafter more full described, with the camming end 90 of the lever 87. to permit downward driving of the formed wire.

The wire is adapted to be fed transversely across the slideway above the anvil 80 and for this purpose there is provided at one side of the slideway in a suitable cut-out 92, (Fig. 0), an apertured wire guiding block 93 adjustably secured in said cut-out by means of a set screw 9-4, the wire being fed into the aperture of said block from a wire guiding tube 95 secured at its lower end in a bracket projection 96 formed upon the support 71, the upper end of the wire guide tube extends into relation with the wire feeding mechanism which is adapted to intermittently feed the wire through the tube. the successive lengths of wire for forming the wire bails or lifts being intermittently severed within the forming mechanisms by means hereinafter more fully referred to.

The wire feeding mechanism (Figs. 1 and 3) is mounted upon bracket projections 97 and 08 formed upon the inner side of the standard 22 and in the lower projection 95. there is supported a shaft 09 upon which there is rotatably mounted a wire feed roller 100 which cooperates with another wire feed roller 101 rotatably supported at 102 upon the end of a lever 103 pivotally mounted at 10-l in the upper bracket projection 07. The lever 103 is provided at its end with an apertured projection 105 through which a vertical rod 106 extends. said rod being provided at its upper end with a winged nut 10'? between which and the projection 105 there is provided upon the rod a spring 108 which is adapted to press the upper feed roller 101 toward the roller 100 so as to insure the positive feed of the wire. The respective shafts 99 and 102 of the rollers are provided with gears 10$) and 110, respectively, which are of equal size and mesh with each other so that the rollers are rotated at equal surface speed. Upon the shaft 99 there is secured a ratchet 111 which engaged by a pawl 112 pivotall supported upon a lever 113, rotatably mounted at one end upon the shaft 99, and having its other end pivotally connected to one end of a link 11%, the other end of which is pivotally connected to a bar 115 secured to the reciprocating slide 57. It is obvious that the reciprocation of the slide 57 causes intermittent feeding movement to be imparted to the feed rolls. In passing between the feed rolls the wire is fed from a guide tube 116 secured to the bracket 97, and to which. the wire is fed from a supply roll 11'? mounted upon a support 118 secured to the frame 24.

The passage 119 through the wire guide block 93 is inclined as shown in Fig. 9, so that as the wire en'ierges therefrom it is at an angle to a horizontal line with respect to the vertical inner surface of the block 93 so that when the length of wire is sheared off the ends of the wire are slightly pointed, and may more readily be forced through the paper strip, as will more fully hereinafter appear. It will also be apparent that due to the angular position of the hole through the die block with respect to the pocket into which the wire is positioned, the wire is disposed against and guided along one side of the forming tools in a way to form a perfectly straight blank, without the use of straightening rolls.

The slide 72 is provided at its lower end with a transverse recess 120 (Fig. 20) in which there is secured a plate 121, the lower edge of which terminates in spaced relation to the lower edge of the slide, and within the recess and abutting said lower edge of the plate there is secured a strip122, the surface of which is in-set with relation to the surface of the plate 121 so that shoulders 123 are formed at the lower edge of said plate 121. In the raised position of the slide 74L these shoulders 123 are in spaced relation above the projected anvil 80 (Fig.

7 12) which is projected into engagement with the surface of the strip 122 so that a passage is provided between the anvil and the shoulders through which the wire is adapted to feed, the same moving first at an angle into engagement with the shoulders and then being guided into horizontal relation as shown in Fig. 9. The plate 121 is provided with a vertical slot or recess 12%, the surface of which is flush with the surface of the 122, the width of the recess being sl' greater at each side than that of the anvil 80. The slide is provided in alignment with the recess 124 with a slot 125, corresponding in width to the recess but of slightly greater depth, and within this slot there is engaged a slide member 126 provided at its lower end with a relatively thin portion 127 for engagement in the recess 12 1-, the exposed surface of the slide 126 being flush with the surfaces of the slide 75% of the plate 121.

Lear-gees The downward movement of the slide 126 is limited relatively to the slide 17 a by means of a pin 128 engaged in a slot 129 provided in the slide 7 4, the end 127 of the slide 126 being in line with the shoulders 123 in such relation, so that a substantially continuous shoulder is formed as shown in Fig. 9 and along which the wire is fed.

The slide 7 1 is provided adjacent one edge with a shearing knife 130, adjustably se cured in a suitable recess 131, the cutting edge projecting relatively to the inner surface of the slide 741-. and being engaged in a groove 132 formed adjacent one side wall of the slideway 73.

The slides 741: and 126 are adapted to be independently reciprocated, and for this purpose the slide 74: is provided at its upper end with apertured bearing lugs 133 to which there is pivotally connected the lower end of link 134k connected at its upper end to a slide 135 mounted for vertical reciprocatory movement in a slide fixture 136 secured to the f1't1111624t, the upper end of said slide being provided with a roller 137 which engages a cam groove 138 of a cam 139 mounted upon the shaft 27, and adapted during the rotation of the shaft 27 to recipi'ocate the slide 135, the diagram of the cam being such as to impart the desired and properly timed movements to the slide 74: as will hereinafter appear. The slide 126 is similarly provided with an apertured lug 1 10 to which there is pivotally connected the lower end of a link 14:1 connected at its upper end to aslide 142 adapted to have reciprocatory movement in the fixture 136, and provided at; its upper end with a roller 143 which engages the cam groove 144 of a cam 14:5 mounted upon the shaft 27.

The operation of the slides 74 and 126 is as follows:--

The starting position is shown in Figs. 9 and 12, with the shoulders 123 and the lower end 127 of the slide 126 in aligned relation with each other and in spaced relation to the projected anvil 80. The slide 74 first moves downwardly, during which movement the knife 130 severs the projected length of wire, which emerging at an inclination to a horizontal line is pointed as above pointed out, the severed wire being confined during this initial movement of the slide by the surface of the strip 122 which moves in contact with the projected end of the anvil 80. The slide continues to move downwardly to the position indicated in Fig. 10 causing the wire to be bent downwardly at its ends about the sides of the anvil 80 into inverted U- shape, the bent down ends C-C being conlined in vertical position by abutting against a rectangular projection 146 formed at the lower edge of the plate 78 in spaced and aligned relation to the anvil 80. The ends of the wire legs are thus driven down through the guideway 193" in a manner to puncture the paper strip at a right angle. As the slide approaches the end of its downward movement a trausverselv disposed bar 1 1?. secured upon its forward side and pro jecting over the gib plate T6. engages the projecting cam end of the lever 84 rotating the lever in counter-clockwise direction. causing the anvil 86 to l e rc-tractei'l into flush relation with the plate 78. so that the formed wire is free to le pressed downwardly and through the paper strip. '.his is brought about by the slide 126, which moves downwardly after retraction of the anvil S and forces the vertical sides of the formed wire partially through the paper strip the transverse portion D of the wire being retained in spaced relation to the upper surface of the paper strip by engagement with the projection 1 16. this transverse portion D of the wire being furthermore straightened out by being pressed against the upper surface of said projection bv the lower end of the slide 126. The wire is now in a verticallv dis posed position with its side legs partially ongaged through the paper strip. and its u per portion is held in such relation during further forming operations upon the wire which take place below the paper strip.

The upper portion 68 of the base is provided adjacent its forward edge with a rectangular pocket 1 18. the base being further provided with a transverse opening 11-9 disposed centrally of the pocket and extending from the front to the rear edges of the base, the side walls of this opening being provided with opposed slideways inclined downwardly from the rear edge of the base to the front edge. Within the POCktI 148 there is provided a flush plate 151. (Figs. 1'? and 18) secured in the pocket b v screws 152 (Fig. 8) and provided in spaced relation to its rear edge with vertical passages 153 and 151 into which the ends of the wire which have been forced through the paper strip are engaged as shown in lli 11. The plate 151 is provided at its underside with a ransverse slot 155 disposed centrally there of and inclined in parallel relation to the slide/ways 150 and within this slot there is socured a block member 156 having its vertical side walls spaced from the side walls of the slot and thereby forming inclined slidewajvs which extend to the upper surface of the plate, the forward end of the block being disposed within a cut-out 157 of the plate and being flush with the upper surface thereof. while tlje underside of the block adjacent its forward end is inclined as at 158 in parallel relation to the slidewa vs.

The plate 151 is further provided at its under-side with a longitudinal channel 159 disposed adjacent the rearward edge and extending at each side of the block 158 to the ends of the plate. At each side of the inclined portion 158 of the block 156 there are provided plates 160 and 161, attending across the channel 159 and disposed in spaced and parallel relation to the sides of said block. the inner surfaces of said plates belug flush with the side walls of the slot 155 and forming in effect a continuation of said side *alls. The plates 160 and 161 have attaching portion-s 162 and 163 respectively which are screwed to the rearward surface of the plate 151 at each side.

'51 e plates 160 and 161 are each provided within the channel 159 with an opening 164 within which there is engaged an anvil portion 165 of a slide block 166 engaged with in the channel and adapted to have recip rocatory movement therein. The anvil portions are adapted to be pressed against the side walls of the block 156. to form supports within the slots about which the ends of the wire are adapted to be bent, by means presently to be described, and are adapted to be withdrawn from the slots to permit further bending of the wire. For this purpose each of the anvil slides 166 is provided at its outer end with a pin 166. about which there are respcctivel engaged springs 167 disposed in pockets 168 formed in the base plate at each side of the plate 151, and adapted. to normally press said slides inuardly to engage their anvil ends with the ides of the block 156. as shown in Fig. 9. The side legs of the \vir, as the are forced downwardly through the paper strip are engaged. in the slots at each side of the block 156 and at one side of the anvil portions 165.

Tt'ithin the slideways 151) there is slidably engaged a slide block 169 (Fig. 16) provided at its underside with spaced lugs 170 supporting a transverse pin 171 which is enred by the forked end 172 (Fig. 12) of a crank lever 17? mounted upon a rock shaft til jOHI'IIHlCCl in a suitable opening 175 of the base plate 67. and upon one end of said shaft there is secured a lever .176. which is pivotally connected at the lower end of a link 1'77 pivotallv connected at its upper end to a slide 178 mounted in the slide fixture 136 and provided at its upper end with a roller 179 engaged in the cam groove 180 of a earn 181 mounted upon the cam shaft 27. The slide block 169 has secured in it a pair vertically disposed parallel blades 182 z'u'lapted to engage the slidev;a vs provided at each side. of the block 156 of the plate 151, the surface of the slide block 169 between the blades 1S2 adapted to have sliding bearing upon the inclined surface 158 of said block 156. 'lhe blar Us 1812 entend from one end of the slide block to a point in spaced relation to the other end. and adjacent said latter ends. The block is grooved as at 183 to provide spaces in which the ends of the wires are engaged in the forwardly projected position of the slide as shown in Fig.

12. It will be noted from. Fig. 12 that the underside of the anvils are inclined in paral lel and spaced relation to the slide 169. The operative edges of the blades 182 consist of a vertical inner end portion 18 1, an upper flat portion 185 parallel to the surface of the slide and adapted to move beneath the anvil in slightly spaced relation thereto, and an upwardl; extending portion 186 curved adjacent the portion 185 and horizontal from said curved portion to the outer ends. said outer ends extending into nearly contacting relation with the slideways oi? the plate 151.. As the slide starts its upward movement, the first action is to engage the vertical portions 1S4: oi. the blades with the ends of the wires projecting below the anvils 165, the continued upward movement causing such ends E E to be bent beneath said anvils in upwardly inclined relation as shown in Fig. 13. The anvils are now adapted to be withdrawn to permit. upward bending of the wires, and for this purpose the slide is provided ateach side with. pins 187 which are adapted to engage can'nning' portions 188 provided upon the a. vil slides 166, the engagement of the pins with such portions causing the anvils to be withdrawn so that the wires are free to be bent upwardly. The plate 151 and the attaching portions 162 and 163 of the plates 160 and 161. are provided with grooved portions 189 in which the pins 187 are adapted to move as the slide approaches its upward movement and the pins have been released from engagement with the cannning portions 188.

As the slide continues its upward move-- ment the portions 186 oi the blades bend the ends of the wire upwardly and. cause the bent over ends E of the 581116 to be projected upwardly through the paper strip as shown in Fig. 141:, the portion of the wire iea's beneath the paper strip being flattened against the same and iinbedded by the force of the blades 182 as shown in Fig.

The base of the wire "forming and attaching support 71 provided with a transverse passage 190, within which there slidabl engaged a slide bar 191 and 19) the forward end 192 of which is U shape in cross section and is disposed below and at each side of the projection lei-.6 oi the plate '78. and about which the upper portion of the wire is held during the bending of the lower portion as just described. the 'torward end of said slide being furthermore provided with a projecting portion 1.93 oi corresponding width to the portion 1&6 and havin its surface flush with it in the retracted position of the slide, and at the lower edge ol' the slide and at each side of the projection 19 -1 there are formed lugs 194i. spaced from said projection to provide guideways tor the wire, the end of the slide thus cooperating with the projection 149 to securely support menace the upper portion of the wire. Bit the under side oi the slide there are ii'orined pockets 1.95 into which the bent ends id of the wire, torced upwardly through the paper strip, are engaged.

The slide 191v is provided at its rearward portion with a slide blocl: 166 iaving side llan 5. .196 slidable in suitable slide grooves 13 oi the base, said slide being further provided with a transverse pin 198 which en- ,5 god by the i orlred end 199 of a rock lever S60 mounted upon a. rock shaft 261 j ournaled in suitable bearnu portions of the support, said. lever being provided with a bell crank extension 5203, to which is pivotally connected the lower end of a link 2% pivotally connected at its upper end to a slide 295 mounted :i'or r ciprocation in the slide fire ture 136, said slide being;- provided at its upper end with a roller .206 which is engaged in the cam groove 20? fOll'l'lttl in one side oi c 1 15 mounted upon the shaft 27. .i. removable cross bar 208 is secured by bolts the rearward end of the :idide-way 197 provi ed within said slideway with an ad ustaliile set screw 205) to limit the rear- .is shown in Fig. let the wire has its upper portion vertically disposed and supported about the projection 14-6 by means 01 the upper forming slides, and. has its lower portion bent upwardly into engagement with the under side of the paper strip with the bent ends l l forced through the strip the same being supported in such position by the upper flat surfaces 186 of the blades 1852. it til point the slide 71- and 126 are moved upwardlv as shown in Fig. 15 and the horizontal slide 191 is projected forwardly. its torward end. bending over the upper portion of the wire into flat relation iuionthe upp r surface of the paper strip, and at the same time the pockets 195 engage the bent ends E ot' the wire and clinch them over upon the strip, the force of the slide inibodding these POTtlOHd into the pa iier rtrip as shown. in lfiig. 25.

its the slide 191 recedes the paper strip for 1Q; mechanism operates to 'l ccd the strip forwardly a distance corr onding to one cap. brin the next portion of the strip into place to have the wire bail or lift i.n sorted therein.

Upon the "forward side of the standard :23 there is provided a slidewav 5210 in which mounted for vertical reciprocation lo 211 provided at its upper portion h a lug! 212 to which there is pivotallv connected the torhed end of an arm 21 pro- ..d upon. a ring: 21 1; rotatably mounted upon an eccentric roller 215 secured to the shaft 2?. and adapted to reciprocate the slide 211 in s 'ncl'ironisni to the other o ierative parts oi the machine. The slide is provided with av projecting support 9116 in one side of which there is SilllPOltO-ii a punch 217 adapted to he adjusted by means ot' a set screw 218 and provided at its lower end with Spaced forming portions 219 (see Fig. 21) ai'lapted to engage he side: {I of the hail portion of the wire and impreaa the sauna a at R i in Spaced relation to the iraumcrso portion 1) to therehy 'lorce Siicli trzniarcrso portion slightly 2 from the i-iurlace of the paper strip to 'lacilitatc the cug'agen c oi. the wire with the lin l J "nail or suita no tool in the ultimate use oi the cap, the raie 'cd portion i) being within the iniileutation ll of the paper strip so that the wire does not project above the s: face of the strip. The strip guide 30 is provided henuth the punch 219 with a hardened hlocl:

The support 216 has secured to its other side, by means of a bolt ill, a c i lindrical punch Q22 adapted to cooperate with a e 'lindrical die to blank out the circular caps from the strip this die being: epaced from the punch 217 a distance c:irrespondi12;; to the distance between the centers, of two caps :0 that as one completed cap is cut out by the blanking" out punch 222 the precedi. cap is being; operated upon hr the punch 131.4. The cut-out caps are forced through the die 223 Where they are ejected from the machine through a shoot 22% into a suitable receptacle.

I hare illuanatid and neacrihcd a pie 'lerred and satisfactory embodiment of the invention but it will be obvious that changes may he made therein within the spirit and scope thereof, as defined in the appem'led claims.

Having thus do crilicd my invention what I claim and desire to secure by letters latent is:

1. In a machine of the char: cter d' rilz-ed, a wire forming and attaching: nicchancni for attachingwi e hails to cap stock or 1e like, comprieing wire l'orming n can? ada ilcd to term lengths of wire into U-shapc, means 'i'or ptlh lllg th legs of said tlo-rmcd wire in one direction partially through the stock, means tor hcudiue and clinching the inserted ends with ropect to the stock. and mean? loihcndiun' the uon-inz-1crred portion in llatwiree relation to the inrtzice ot' the rtocl;

9 In a machine of he character described, wirc 'l'ormingg and attaching! mcchanism for attaching wire hails to cap :tocl; or the like, coinpriaing' wire torniiiig meal a a laptcil to form lengths oiwire into U-shapc, means for passin the of said termed wire in one directimi partiall t the Floclt, means for heading and clinching the iu -tcrl ed end; with respect to the :toclt. and means for bending the non-inserted portion in iiat wise relation l o the surface oi? the stock anal wher hr the respective leg portionS at each Hide of he stock are aligned.

3. In a machine oi the chara *ter described,

l rough In :1 machine of the cha 'actcr described a wire "for-mineand attaching means for attachi' wire hails to cap stock or the like. compi 7 ii wire Forming means adapted to form lo the; ol" wire into U-shape, means for paaainr; the legs ot said formed wire in, one direction partiall through the mcaua l'or licndimr and clinching the ca". ends with respect to the atocl-z and stock.

V aiallcl rdutior. to each other. and means for lie or: the non-inscrted portion in flat- Wise relation to the surface of the l'fl'OCk.

in :1 machine of the character descrihed. wire 'l'orznii and attaching mechaiiism i'or aliachi wire hails: to cap stock or the like. comp airs wire 'l'orniiug means adapted to 't'orn lengths oi wire into U- shape 111011 '1 lot lliSSillQ the legs of said 'l'oru'icd wire in (no direction partially through the meals 'lor hending and clinching; the iascrtcil ends with respect to the stock :rd in parallel relation to each other. and means for bending the non-inli portion in llalwiae relation to the surl'acc oi the stock. the leg portions oi said uon inscricd portion being; parallel and in a igned relation with said hcut and ('linclrcd portions.

(3. in a machine of the character dc- .s'crihedt a wire 'l'orming' and attaching' mechanism 'l'or alta hing wire hai s to cap stock or the lllii compriainiz' wire Forming means adapted to torm lengths of wire into U- silizipc. means for par-sing the legs of said 'ormcd wire in one direction partially hrou rh the slocltq meanr-i t'or hending: the ad portions of said Icon in spaced relation to the 5 inch to term prongs. mcana for bendin the inserted leg portions against the sur- 5 cc of ti e sloclt and means whereby said prong cnda are passed through the stock in opposed tlll tt llllli to the initial insertion oi said loge" and means tor llatlcnine the prong curls upon the-other surl'acc oithe stock.

1'. in a machine of the character dcs crihod, wire forming: and attaching means l' r attachiu; wire hails to cap s ock or the lilac, twill}. 'iain r wire 'lorming 1112; ns adapted to l'orin lci lhs of wire into U-shape, means l'or pwi: the ot said 'l'ormed ection partially through the ate-ck, means ror bending the end portions 1.. wire in we dir of said legs in spaced relation to the stock to form prongs, means for bending the inserted leg portions against the surface of the stock and means whereby said prong ends are passed through the stock in opposed direction to the direction of initial insertion of said legs, and means for flattening said prong ends and said non inserted portion in the same direction upon the other surface of the stock.

8. In a machine oi the character described, a wire forming and attaching mechanism for attaching wire bails to cap stock or the like, comprising wire forming means at the upper side of said steel; adapted to form lengths of wire into J-shape. vertitally reciprocating means for forcing the le s of said formed wire in one direction partially through the stock, reciprocating means at the under side of the stock for bending the inserted portions of saidv into flatwise relation with the underside of the stock, and horizontally reciprocating means at the upper side of the stock for bending the non-inserted portion of the wire into flatwise relation with the upper surface of the stock and in opposed direction to the bending of said inserted portions.

9. In a machine of the character described, a wire forming and attaching mechanism for attaching wire bails to cap stock or the like, comprising wire forming means at the upper side of the stock adapted to form lengths of wire into U-shape, vertically reciprocating means for passing the legs of said formed wire in one direction partially through the stock, reciprocating means below the surface of the stock for bending the end portions of said legs in spaced relation to the stock to "form prongs and for bending the inserted leg portions against the under surface of the stock and means whereby said prong ends are passed upwardly through the stock, and horizontally reciprocating means for flattening said prong ends and the non-inserted portion in the same direction in tlatwise relation to the upper surface of the stock.

10.111 a machine of the character described, a wire forming and attaching mech anism for attaching wire bails to cap stock or the like comprising wire torming means adapted to form lengths of wire into U- shape and including a vertically disposed slideway, a forming anvil in said slideway, a vertically reciprocating former, means for feeding lengths oi. wire between said tormor and. said anvil, said tornler adapted through downward movement to bend the wire about said anvil into U-shape, vertically reciprocating means adapted to force the legs of said formed wire in one direction. partially through the stock, means for bending the inserted portions of said wire in llatwise relation to the under surface of nesaeee stock and means for flattening the non-inserted portion 01" said wire upon the upper surface of the stock.

11. In a machine ot the cliaractcui de scribed, a wire forming and attaching mechanism for attaching wire hails to cap stock or the like comprising wire forming means adapted to form lengths of wire into ti -shape and including a vertically disposed slidewav, an anvil adapted to be projected and 1e tracted with relation to the snrtace of said slidewa v, a vertically reciprocating former, means for feeding a length of wire liietween the projected anvil and said former, said former adapted through downward 1novement in the projected relation of said anvil to bend the wire into ill-shape, and vertically reciprocating means adapted in the retracted position or" said anvil to force the legs of said formed wire partially through the stock, means at the underside of the stock for bending the inserted portions of the wire in flat wise relation to the underside of the stock and means for flattening the non-inserted portion of said wire upon the upper surface of the stock.

1.2. In a machine of the character described, a wire forming and attaching mechanism for attaching Wire bails to cap stock or the like, comprising wire forming means adapted to form lengths of wire into U-shape and including a vertical slideway, an anvil within said slideway adapted to be projected and retracted with respect to the surface thereof, a stationary anvil portion in spaced and aligned relation below said. first mentioned anvil, a vertically reciprocating former, means for feeding a length of wire be tween the projected anvil and said former, said former adapted through downward movement to bend the wire about said projected anvil. to form side leg portions and a transverse portion, vertically reciprocating means adapted in the retracted position of said anvil to force said legs partially through the wire, said. wire being limited in its downward movement by engagement of its transverse portion. with said stationary anvil, means below the stock adapted to bend the inserted leg portions in flatwise relation to the under surface of the stock and means tor flattening the non-inserted portion of said wire upon the upper surfaceof the stock.

1.3. In a machine of the character de scribed, a wire forming and attaching mechanism for attaching wire bails to cap stock or the like, coinpii'isii'ig wire forming means adapted to form lengths of wire into U- shape and including a vertical slideway, an anvil. in said slideway adapted to be projected and retracted with respect to the surta'ce thereof, means for feeding wire at the upper side of said anvil, a vertically reciprocating former, wire cutting means car- CJI ried by said former and adapted during the initial downward movement to sever a length of wire, said former adapted during the continued downward movement to bend the wire about the projected anvil, vertically reciprocating means adapted in the retracted position 01 the anvil to force the leg portions of said formed wire partially through the stock, means at the underside of said stock adapted to bend the inserted portions in flatwise relation against the underside of the stock and means for flattening the non-inserted portion of said wire upon the upper surface of the stock.

14. In a machine of the character described, wire forming and attaching mechanism for attaching wire bails to cap stock or the like, comprising Wire forming means adapted to form lengths of wire into U-shape and including a vertical slideway, an anvil in said slideway adapted to be projected and retracted, means for projecting and retracting said anvil including movable means mounted in relation to said slideway, a vertically reciprocating former, means for feeding a length of wire between said projected anvil and said former, said former adapted through downward movement to bend the wire about said anvil, means carried by said former adapted at the end of said downward movement to engage said movable means to retract said anvil, vertically reciprocating means adapted in the retracted position of said anvil to force the leg portions of said wire partially through the stock, means at the underside of the stock for bending the inserted leg portions in flatwise relation to the under surface of the stock and means for flattening the non-inserted portion of said wire upon the upper surface of the stock.

15. In a machine of the character described, a wire forming and attaching mechanism for attaching wire bails to cap stock or the like, comprising wire forming means adapted to form lengths of wire into U-shapc and including a vertical slideway, an anvil in said slideway adapted to be projected and retracted with respect to the surface thereof, a vertically reciprocating former, means for feeding lengths of wire between said anvil and said former. said former adapted through downward movement to bend said wire about said projected anvil, reciprocating means adapted in the retracted position of said anvil to force the legs of said wire partially through the stock, means below the surface of the stock for bending the in serted portions in one direction in flatwise relation against the under surface of the stock, horizontally recprocat-ing means above the surface of the stock adapted to bend the non-inserted portion in opposed relation to the inserted portion and in flatwise relation to the upper surface of the stock and means for flattening the non-insorted portion of said wire upon the upper surface of the stock.

16. In a machine of the character described, a wire forming and attaching mechanism for attaching wire bails to cap stock 0 or the like, comprising wire forming means adapted to term lengths of wire into U- shape and including a vertical slideway, an anvil in said slideway adapted to be projected and retracted with relation to the surface thereof, a stationary anvil in said slideway in spaced and aligned relation below said first anvil, a vertically reciprocating former, means for feeding lengths of wire between said projected anvil and said form-er, said former adapted through downward movement to bend said wire about said projected anvil and to engage the bent side portions with the sides of said stationary anvil, vertically reciprocating means adapted in the retracted relation 01 said first anvil to force the legs of said wire partially through the stock, said insertion being limited by engagementof the transverse portion of the wire with said stationary anvil, said stationary anvil and said former adapted to support the non-inserted portion of the wire in vertical relation during the forming operations upon the inserted portions of wire, means at the underside of the stock adapted to bend the inserted portions of the wire in one direction in flatwise relation against the under surface of the stock, and horizontally reciprocating means disposed in relation to said stationary anvil adapted, upon release of. the non-inserted portion of the wire through upward movement of the former. to be reciprocated to bend said non-inserted portion in fiatwise relation against the upper surface of the stock and in opposed direction to the bending of said inserted portions.

17. In a machine of the character described. a wire tprming and attaching mechanism for attaching wire bails to cap stock or the like, comprising wire forming means adapted to form lengths of wire into U- shape and including a vertical slideway, an anvil in said slid-away adapted to be projected and retracted with respect to the sun face thereol, a stationary anvil in spaced and aligned relation below said first anvil,

a reciprocating former, means for feeding lengths of wire between said projected anvil and said former, said former adapted through downward movement to bend the wire about said projected anvil and to engage the sides of said wire with the sides of said stationary anvil. vertically reciproeating means adapted in the retracted relation of said first anvil to force the legs of said wire partially through the stock, said stationary anvil adapted to limit the insertion of said w re, said stationary anvil and said former adapted to support the noninserted portion of said \vire during the forn'iing operations upon the inserted portions of the Wire, means at the underside of the stock adapted to bend the end portions of said legs in spaced relation to the stock to form prongs and to bend the inserted leg portions against the under surface of the stock, means whereby said prong ends are passed upwardly through the stociz, and horizontally reciprocatin means in relation to said stationary anvil adapted upon release of the non-inserted portion of said Wire through upward movement of said former to simultaneously clinch said prong ends and bend said non-inserted portion in tlatwise relation. upon the upper surface of he stock and in the same direction.

18. In a machine of the character described, vire forming; and attaching meclr anism for attachinsr Wire hails to c. p stock or the like, comprisingmeans at the upper side of the stock for forming lengths of Wire into ll-shape, means for passing the lens of said form-ed wire in one direction partially through the stock, wire bending means, at the underside of the stock including slide- Ways disposed in planes at right angles to the plane of said U-shaped Wire and adapted to receive said inserted portions of the wire, and reciprocating means engaging said slide- Ways and adapted to simultaneously bend the inserted portions of the Wire in tlativise relation against the under surface of the stock.

'19. In a machine of the character de scribed, a wire forming and attaching; mechanism for attachinn' Wire balls to cap stock or the like, comprising means at the upper side of the stock Ior forn'iing; lengths of Wire into U shapc, means for passing the lens at said. formed Wire partially through the stock, Wire bending i'neans at the under side of the stock including slideways adapted to receive said inserted portiops of the wire said slideivay being inclined from the under surface of the stock and a diagonally reciprocating slide engaging; said slideway and adapted to he reciprocated to bend said inserted portions of the Wire in flativise elation against the under side of the stock.

20. In machine of the character scribed, a Wire forming ant anism for attaching Wire b m i. or the like, comprising means the upper side of the stock for forming lengths of Wire into l..l-shape., means for passing the legs of said formed Wire partially through the stock, Wire bending means at the uncer side of the stock including slideirays adapted to receive said inserted. portions of the wire. anvil means disposed in said slidenavs and adapted to be projected and retracted with relation. theretoi a reciprocating slide engagsaid slideway adapted in the projected relation of said anvil to bend the end portions of the Wire about said anvils to form prongs. and in the retracted relation of said anvils. to bend the inserted portions of the Wire in flatwise relation against the under sin-face of the stock, means whereby said prong ends are forced upwardly through the stock, and means at the npper side of the stock for clinching said prong ends in flat- Wise relation to the upper surface of the stock.

2-1. In a machine of the character de scribed, a Wire forming and attaching mechanism. for attaching \vire hails to cap stool; or the like comprising means at the upper side of the stock for forming lengths of Wire into Urshape, means for passing the legs of said formed Wire partially through the stock. Wire bending means on the underside of the stock including parallel slideways disposed in planes at right angles to the plane of said U-shaped Wire and adapted to receive the inserted portions of the Wire, a reciprocating slide engaged in said slideways and adapted to simultaneously bend the inserted portions of the Wire in liativise rela time against the underside of the stock and in parallel relation to each other.

22. In a machine of the character described, awire forming and attaching mechanism for attaching; Wire hails to cap stock or the like comprising means at the upper side of the stool: for forming lengths of Wire into tl-shape, means for passing the legs of said formed Wire partially hrough the stock, Wire bending means at the underside of the stock including spaced parallel. Sli ways adapted to receive the inserted portions of the Wire, means in said slideu 'ays for forming prong ends upon the inserted por tions of the Wire and a. reciprocating slide engaging said slideways adapted to hend the inserted portions of the Wire in flatu'ise relation to the under surface of the steer and in parallel relation to each other and means whereby said prong ends are forced upardly through the stock, and means at the upper side of the stool; adapted to clinch said prong ends in fla-twise relation to the upper surface of the stoclr.

In a machine of the ch racter descrihech a Wire forming and attaching mechanism for attaching-Wire hails to cap stock or the like, comprising means at the upper side of the stock for forming lengthaof wire into lJ-shape, means for passing the legs of said formed Wire partially through the stock. Wire bending means at the underside of the stock including spaced parallel slide- Ways inclined downwardly from the under surface of the stock. anvil means in relation to each of said slidewaya adapted to he projected and retracted With relation thereto and having Wire forming surfaces inclined in parallel relation to said slideway, a reciprocating slide engaging said slideways adapted in the projected relation of said anvils to bend the ends of said inserted portions of the wire about said inclined wire forming surfaces of the anvils to form prongs extending at an acute angle to the inserted portions of the wire, said reciprocating slide adapted upon retraction of the anvils to bend the inserted portions of the wire in flatwise relation against the under surface of the stock, means whereby said prong ends are forced upwardly through the stock, and means at the upper side of the stock adapted to clinch said prong ends in :flatwise relation against the upper surface of the stock.

24. In a machine of the character described, a wire forming and attaching mechanism for attaching wire bails to cap stock or the like, comprising means at the upper side of the stock for forming lengths of wire into U-shape, means for passing the legs of said formed wire partially through the stock, wire bending means at the underside of the stock including spaced parallel slideways adapted to receive the inserted portion of the wire, anvils in relation to each of said slideways adapted to be projected and retracted, a reciprocating slide including blade members slidably engaged in said slideways and each having a portion adapted during the initial movement of said slide to bend the ends of said inserted portions of the wire about said anvils to form prongs, and portions adapted upon continued movement of the slide and upon retraction of the anvils to bend the inserted portions of the wire in flatwise relation against the under surface of the stock, means whereby said prong ends are forced upwardly through the stock, and means on the upper side of the stock adapted to clinch said prongs in flatwise relation against the upper surface of the stock.

25. In a machine of the character described, a wire forming and attaching mechanism for attaching wire bails to cap stock or the like, comprising means at the upper side of the stock for forming lengths of wire into U-shape, means for passing the legs of said formed wire partially through the stock, wire bending means at the underside of the stock including spaced parallel slideways adapted to receive the inserted portions of the wire, anvils in relation to each of said slideways adapted to be projected and retracted, said anvils each including a wir forming surface disposed at an angle to the inserted portions of the wire, a reciprocating slide including blade means slidably engaging said slideways and each having a portion parallel to said forming surfaces of the anvils and adapted during the initial movement of said slide to bend the ends of the inserted portions of the wire between said forming surfaces and said surfaces of the blades to form prongs, said blades adapted during the continued movement of the slide and. upon retraction of said anvils to bend the inserted portions of the wire against the under surfaces of the stock, and means whereby said prong ends are forced upwardly through the stock, and means at the upper side of the stock adapted to clinch said prong ends in flatwise relation against the upper surface of the stock.

In a macnine of the character de scribed, a wire forming and attaching mechanism for attaching wire bails to cap stock or the like, comprising means at the upper side of the stock for forming lengths of wire into U-shape, means for passing the legs of said formed wire partially through the stock, wire bending means at the underside of the stock including spaced parallel slideways adapted to receive the inserted portions of the wire, anvils in said slideways adapted to be projected and retracted, a reciprocating slide including means engaging said slideways adapted upon initial movement of said slide to bend the ends of the inserted portions of the wire about said anvils to form prongs, means carried by said slideways adapted upon continued movement of the slide to retract said anvils, said slide adapted upon further continued movement to bend the inserted portions of the wire in flatwise relation against the under surface of the stock, means whereby said prong ends are forced upwardly through the stock, and means at the upper side of the stock adapted to clinch said prong ends in flatwise relation against the upper surface of the stock.

27. In a machine of the character described, wire forming and attaching mechanism for attaching wire bails to closure cap stock or the like con'iprising wire forming means adapted to form lengths of wire into U-shape, means for passing the legs of said formed wire partially through the stock, means for bending the portions of said legs beneath the stock and means to deflect the end portions toward the underside of the stock. means for inserting thc end portions of the legs through the stock a second time, and means for flattening the ends of the wire upon the top surface of the stock.

In a, machine of the character descriljied. wire 't'orining and attaching mechanism for attaching wire bails to closure cap stock or the like, comprising wire forming means adapted to form lengths of wire into U-shape, means for passing the legs of said formed wire partially through the stock, means for bending the portions of said legs beneath the stock and means to deflect the end portions toward the underside of the stock, means for inserting the end portions of the legs through the stock a second time, means for flattening the ends of the Wire upon the top surface of the stock, and means for also flattening the non-inserted portion of said Wire upon the top surface of the stock.

29. In a Wire forming machine, Wire feeding means, a curved tube through which the wire is directed Wire forming nieans including a longitudinal pocket into which the Wire is positioned, a die having a straight opening through Which the Wire is guided from the tube to the pocket and for holding the tioned to deflect the Wire into andagainst the upper side of the pocket for the purpose of straightening the wire blank preparatory to the cutting and forming operation.

Signed at Bridgeport in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut this 10th day of April, A. 1). 1925.

FREDERIC K. PLYMPTON. 

